The STC application process has four basic steps: (1) FAA
evaluation of submitted application and data; (2) inspection
and test of detail parts, components, and subassemblies; (3)
inspection and tests of the complete assembly, modification
and installation; and (4) issuance of the STC. Described in
the following text is the STC process for an aircraft. The
process would be similar for an engine or propeller.

2-2. SUBMITTAL
AND EVALUATION OF APPLICATION AND DATA.

a. FAA Form 8110-12, Application for Type Certificate,
Production Certificate, or Supplemental Type Certificate,
should be submitted to the FAA ACO with a letter that
includes:

(1) A description of the project.

(2) The type of aircraft involved.

(3) A schedule for completion of the project.

(4) Where the work (design and installation) will be
conducted.

(5) A letter from the applicant authorizing use of
specific agents to represent the applicant. Certain
individuals may act on behalf of the FAA. See chapter 4.

(6) Statement, if necessary, that a project initiation
meeting is needed or desired.

b. Applicant should submit a Certification Plan to the
FAA for approval, (see figure 2-4) containing:

NOTE: Implementation of the certification plan will be at
the discretion of the ACO Manager/Project Engineer. An
implemented plan should also be revised throughout the
program.

(1) "General Information" should identify: the applicant,
application date, model designation, etc.; the certification
basis of applicable 14 CFR parts (including sections),
exemptions, and special conditions; how compli-ance will be
shown (tests, analysis, similarity, etc.), and what will be
submitted to show compliance. See Figure 2-5.

NOTE: Identification of applicable regulations may
require assistance from the FAA Project Engineer.

(2) "Project Schedule" identifying dates of: major
milestones; when data and test plan submittals will be made;
when conformity inspections, installation, and testing are
required; and when the project will be completed.

(3) "Identification of Designated Manufacturing
Inspection Representatives (DMIR), Designated Airworthiness
Representatives (DAR), and Designated Engineering
Representatives (DER)," and their specialties, utilized;
including who will sign FAA Form 8110-3, Statement Of
Compliance With The Federal Aviation Regulations, (if
required), and whether it will be recommended or approved.
Include names, points of contact, FAA home office and level
of authority.

c. FAA will establish a project and assign a project
manager/engineer. Within 10 working days after receipt of
the application and certification plan, an acknowledgment
letter is transmitted to the applicant identifying the
project number, project manager/engineer and team (i.e.
engineer(s), flight test personnel, Aircraft Evaluation
Group (AEG), MDO personnel, project officer, etc.), and the
date of the project initiation meeting as appropriate.

NOTE: For systems that contain software, the Plan for
Software Aspects of the Certification (PSAC) should be
submitted after FAA approval of the Product Certification
Plan. (Reference RTCA DO-178 latest change.)

e. Applicant should submit all data to the FAA project
manager/engineer for review and approval. If the data is
modified or updated during the course of the project, the
applicant should immediately contact the FAA and establish a
time frame when the change(s) will be submitted to the
FAA.

NOTE: In many cases the FAA may need more than one copy
of the data submittal package.

(1) Test plans need prior approval by the ACO and should
include all necessary details: test fixture, test articles,
(parts, components, or subassemblies) as well as the final
modification or installation tests.

NOTE: Components and/or assemblies requiring conformity
should be identified, including the test fixture and
equipment.

(2) FAA coordination of the work will only be with the
applicant/agent identified on FAA Form 8110-12, unless
otherwise indicated in a specific authorization.

NOTE: The applicant is responsible for coordinating any
FAA requests with the applicant's vendors and
subcontractors.

f. FAA will review the data for compliance with the
applicable regulations, and the project manager/engineer
will notify the applicant when data is accepted.

2-3. INSPECTION
AND TESTING OF COMPONENTS AND SUBASSEMBLIES.

Prior to modification or installation completion, it may
be necessary to inspect and/or test detail parts,
components, and/or subassemblies to verify the descriptive
data conforms and complies with the applicable regulations.
This is especially true when the part(s) will be out of
sight after installation. See chapters 6 and 8.

NOTE: The conformity inspection request should only be
issued after the data has been FAA or DER approved.

b. Applicant should submit FAA Form 8130-9, Statement of
Conformity, after performing own conformity inspections and
complying with 14 CFR part 21, section 21.33. The applicant
should, at the same time, arrange (with FAA concurrence) for
FAA or FAA designee for conformity inspection, and FAA/DER
witnessing of all certification testing to approved test
plans.

NOTE: Submission of this form is called out on the Type
Inspection Authorization. The FAA MIDO may delegate
performance of the conformity inspection to an FAA
DAR/DMIR.

c. FAA and Applicant conduct inspections and tests. The
FAA, or their designee, will conduct all necessary
conformity inspections. Upon completion of conformity
inspection, the applicant will perform all required tests
per approved test proposal. The FAA project engineer or an
FAA authorized DER should witness all tests and conduct any
necessary compliance inspections.

d. Applicant should submit test reports and
substantiating data for all certification testing, as well
as any further data necessary to demonstrate compliance with
the regulations.

e. FAA will evaluate test reports and substantiating data
for compliance with the applicable regulations. When it is
determined that these reports and data comply, approval of
the submittals will be granted.

2-4.
INSPECTION AND TESTING
OF COMPLETE ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION.

When the modification or installation is complete and all
data has been approved, all component inspections and tests
should be performed on the final article. These inspections
and tests will be called out in the Type Inspection
Authorization (TIA), FAA Form 8110-1, and must be completed
satisfactorily before the STC can be issued.

NOTE: In the event that a TIA is not required, a request
for installation conformity on FAA Form 8120-10 will be
issued by the FAA project manager/engineer.

a. Applicant should submit proposed Aircraft/Rotorcraft
Flight Manual Supplement (AFMS/RFMS) and flight test
proposal to the FAA for evaluation by the FAA pilot.

b. Applicant should conduct own certification test when
the proposed test plan is acceptable to the FAA.

NOTE: The aircraft should be placed in research and
development. See 14 CFR part 21, section 21.191.

d. Applicant should submit a flight test report to the
FAA for review after successful completion of his/her own
certification flight testing.

e. Applicant should submit FAA Form 8130-9 and arrange
(with FAA concurrence) for FAA installation conformity
inspection to be conducted.

f. FAA will evaluate the applicant's flight test report
for compliance with 14 CFR part 21, section 21.35(a)(4) and
other applicable regulations. Upon acceptance, FAA
certification testing, as called out in the TIA, may
begin.

g. FAA will prepare and issue the TIA after coordination
is accomplished with each appropriate engineering
discipline, MIDO representative, and if applicable, AEG
personnel, and the examination of the technical data
required for the STC is completed or has reached a point
where the aircraft will meet the applicable regulations.

h. All conformity installation inspections necessary are
conducted by the FAA (or authorized FAA designee) as called
out in the TIA or Request for Conformity (installation).
Satisfactory completion of the inspections is necessary for
TIA testing to begin. Conformity Inspections are recorded on
Conformity Inspection Record, FAA Form 8100-1.

i. Applicant should arrange (with FAA concurrence) for
final FAA compliance inspections and TIA ground and flight
testing, as applicable.

j. Final compliance inspections and testing, (ground and
flight), are conducted by the FAA/ Applicant as called out
in the TIA.

NOTE: The aircraft should be placed in showing compliance
with regulations. See 14 CFR part 21, section 21.191.

k. Applicant should submit all final data upon completion
of the FAA final compliance inspections and testing, to the
FAA project manager/engineer for review and approval. Data
such as AFMS/RFMS, test reports, life limited parts (14 CFR
parts 23, 25, 27, etc.).

l. FAA will evaluate final data submittal for compliance
with the regulations. When it is determined that the data
demonstrates compliance with the regulations, final FAA
approval of the modification or installation will be
granted.

2-5. ISSUANCE OF
THE STC.

When all data, TIA tests, and inspections have been
completed satisfactorily and approved by the FAA, an STC
will be issued to the applicant. All appropriate project
data will be sent to the FAA archives, and the project will
be closed.

NOTE: If an FAA designee, or applicant prepares the STIR,
the FAA must still review and approve the report.

b. FAA will prepare an STC upon completion of all the
previous steps found in chapter 2, sections 2-2, 2-3, and
2-4. The STC will be signed by the ACO manager.

NOTE: In many cases, the applicant may be informally
notified of the final approval and STC number when the STC
is officially signed by the ACO manager.

c. FAA will issue the STC, (FAA Form 8110-2), to the
applicant with a transmittal letter.

d. FAA will send a copy of all FAA supplemental type
certificates, FAA Form 8110-2, which the holders have
indicated are available for use by others, to be logged into
the FAA STC data base: FAA; Attn.: AFS-610; P.O. Box 25082;
Oklahoma City, OK 73125.

e. Application project will be closed when all steps in
this chapter have been completed successfully.

The purpose for this checklist is to clearly communicate
early in the certification process the requirements that
must be fulfilled for an STC to be issued. The contents of
this checklist should be communicated between the applicant,
the project manager/engineer, and the responsible MIDO
office of the project at a minimum.

1. Is the application complete?

2. Is there anticipation of expanding the model
applicability of the STC? If so, is there anything that can
be done on the initial certification that will make
expansion of the STC easier at a later date?

3. Is the STC going to be "multiple" or will it be a "one
only"? If the STC is a "One-only", the aircraft make, model,
and serial number should be provided.

4. Will the kits be for sale? If so, installation
instructions will be necessary so that anyone obtaining a
kit will have enough information for installation. (14 CFR
part 21, section 21.303.) What is the fabrication inspection
system?

5. Is there a requirement for generating instructions for
continued airworthiness? See chapter 5-3.i. and note.

6. Is there an existing STC that could be used instead of
going to the trouble of applying for a new one?

7. What is the Applicant's/FAA's schedule?

8. Where will modification of the aircraft take
place?

9. Will any parts be fabricated outside of the
applicant's facility? If so, what kind, where, and when will
they be made? Qualification and conformity will be
required.

10. What is required for the conformity inspection
process? The applicant has the responsibility to properly
record and report their conformity inspection on FAA Form
8100-1, Conformity Inspection Record, prior to FAA's
conformity inspection. It is a necessity for early submittal
of FAA Form 8130-9, in-process conformities and the
procedure for making the request for conformity, FAA Form
8120-10. Drawings must be FAA/DER approved prior to asking
for conformity inspection. See 14 CFR part 21, section
21.33.

11. What kind of drawing system will be used? The drawing
system used should: contain a drawing list; provide
information required for the various types of drawings (i.e.
detail, component, assembly, and installation); describe the
modification; list the materials and applicable
specifications, processes such as heat treat, etc., and
protective coatings used; and provide the dimensions in
enough detail to accomplish the modification. Any process
specifications, (fiberglass work etc.), used should be
documented and reviewed by the FAA. New processes may have
to be demonstrated to an FAA inspector. Suppliers of
materials should be listed.

12. Will designees be used on the program? Identify the
name, number and type of designees to be used. Explain the
purpose of utilizing designees.

13. What types of tests are anticipated? What constitutes
test proposals, conformities for setups and witnessing of
tests, applicant versus FAA tests, and (if applicable)
placing the aircraft in experimental category.

14. Will special instructions be necessary to tell the
pilot how the modified aircraft will now operate? If so, an
AFMS/RFMS will need to be prepared.

15. It is the applicant's responsibility to establish a
certification test plan and compliance check list, and to
determine the modification meets all applicable
airworthiness standards.

16. Is the project significant? See FAA Order 8100.5,
Aircraft Certification Directorate Procedures. Are issue
papers, technical meetings required? What is the
certification basis for the modification. Is AEG involvement
required? Any special conditions? (e.g., High Intensity
Radiated Fields (HIRF)).

17. What data must be submitted prior to issuance of, and
how is the TIA and STIR used.

The purpose of the compliance checklist is to document
which regulations are applicable to the STC project and how
compliance with those regulations was shown. Identification
of applicable regulations and completion of the compliance
checklist may require assistance from the FAA project
engineer. Instructions for completing this sample compliance
checklist are as follows:

The method of compliance may include design
drawings (D), analyses (A), tests (T), or other
methods (O). Some compliance checklists simply list
the letter corresponding to the applicable method
of compliance. Other compliance checklists
reference specific data by title or number. The
applicant and FAA project team should agree upon a
format.